Technique for effectively providing concierge-like services in a directory assistance system

ABSTRACT

Telephone users desiring directory assistance services are connected via standard telephone procedures to a directory assistance provider, such as an operator. An operator provides the destination number and initiates a connection to that number. Once that connection is initiated, the connection is monitored for the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as a busy signal. If no such condition is detected, the caller proceeds with the call in the normal manner. If, however, such a condition is detected, the caller is automatically transferred to a directory assistance provider for further help. In addition, a pool of operators/agents capable of receiving the request for concierge-like services generate an electronic ticket representing such request. A pool of fullfillment agents capable of receiving the electronic ticket engage in such action as necessary to fulfill the request. The agents are networked to directory assistance and concierge databases and to third-party providers of concierge services to facilitate the process.

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/816,921 filed on Mar. 13, 1997, and U.S.application Ser. No. 09/520,306 filed on Mar. 7, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a communications system and method, andmore particularly to a system and method for providing a directoryassistance service including, e.g., provision of information concerninggoods and services, and locating, reserving and procuring/purchasingsuch goods and services, in response to a customer's inquiry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Concierge services are typically provided by hotels. The methodgenerally employed is where a hotel guest, using the hotel roomtelephone, places a call to the hotel reception and asks to speak to thehotel concierge. The guest is connected to the concierge who thenlistens to the request of the hotel guest, such as a request for arestaurant reservation, and notes any preferences, such as the guest'spreference for outdoor dining. The concierge then suggests a service, anevent or restaurant in accordance with the guest's desires andpreferences. The suggestion is often based on the concierge's personalknowledge in the field, and/or by consulting a listing book ordirectory. Should the suggestion be satisfactory, the concierge willmake the necessary reservations and inform the hotel guest of thereservation details.

[0004] Concierge services are especially useful for a visitor who isunfamiliar with an area's services, eating establishments or upcomingevents. The problem with such a service is that it is restricted to theguests at a specific hotel only. The concierge's suggestions can alsooften be biased, erratic or based on limited listing or directoryinformation. In addition to the above, the hotel guest may also need towrite down the reservation details, obtain directions and arrangetransportation.

[0005] Furthermore, the whole process can be slow, as access to largelistings are often manually searched by the concierge. The concierge mayalso be limited by the type of search he/she can perform. He may not beable to search for multiple preferences simultaneously, such as forexample an outdoor, non-smoking, vegetarian restaurant, in a specificarea. In addition, the concierge may only be familiar with restaurantsin a particular area and therefore may be of little use to a hotel guestwho is departing that day for another city.

Directory Assistance

[0006] Telephone calls from one party to another are made throughtelephone networks, with telephone switches and private branch exchanges(“PBX”) employed as necessary in order to connect networks andcustomers. Customers frequently make use of directory assistance systemsto reach their desired parties. When using a directory assistance system(sometimes referred to as a “directory assistance platform”), a callerfirst dials the appropriate telephone number or access code. Telephoneusers usually access a directory assistance system through a carrierswitching center. Once connected to a directory assistance provider,such as a live operator or a voice server, the caller identifies theparty whose telephone number is desired. The correct number is locatedand may be reported to (by voice or computer-generated speech), and/ordialed for, the caller. It is increasingly common for directoryassistance systems to connect the caller to the caller's desired numberin addition to, or in place of, simply providing the number to thecaller. This is particularly helpful to callers using cellular or otherforms of wireless telephones, who may be engaged in other activities atthe same time and therefore unable to take note of the number as it isrecited. Typically, once the caller has been given the number and/or thenumber is dialed for the caller, the caller's connection through thedirectory assistance platform is terminated.

[0007] Termination of the connection through the directory assistanceplatform has a number of disadvantages. For example, if the caller isgiven or connected to an incorrect telephone number, the caller mustcontact the directory assistance system again or inquire elsewhere toobtain the correct number. This naturally requires additional action andexpense on the caller's part. Moreover, reconnection to the directoryassistance platform requires reallocation of directory assistanceresources to the customer call. In view of the previous connectionthrough the directory assistance platform, reconnection and reallocationis unnecessary, time consuming, and under some circumstances, wasteful.Similarly, even if the telephone number to which the caller is connectedis correct, the line may be busy, there may be no answer, thedestination party's telephone network may be inoperable, etc. In suchcircumstances, the caller often will want to contact a different party,again requiring the aid of the directory assistance system. Requiringseparate and repeated connections to a directory assistance platformincurs added monetary expense on the caller's party, because directoryassistance platforms typically charge a fee for each separateconnection. Conversely, if a caller's connection is maintained to thedirectory assistance platform, multiple actions may be taken to assistthe caller without necessarily incurring such additional fees.

[0008] Prior art directory assistance systems suffer from a furtherdisadvantage in that they typically lack dedicated resources formonitoring telephone connections to calling or called parties. Forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,754, one tone detecting device monitorsup to 1,344 connections by using a multiplexer. The period of time forwhich each connection is monitored is critical to this method ofoperation. To service so many connections on an equal time-sharingbasis, the device cannot monitor one particular connection for more thana very short period of time (illustratively, on the order ofmilliseconds) before switching to and monitoring others. If the timeperiod is too short, this method has the deleterious effect of requiringa party to press a key for an extended period of time—long enough toensure that the monitoring digital signal processor (“DSP”), perhaps adual-tone multi-frequency (“DTMF”) receiver, cycles back to the party'sconnection in time to detect the keypress—or risk the possibility thatthe DSP will miss the party's keypress. Another disadvantage to thismethod is that normal voice energy, or transient signals such as frominterference or crosstalk, may cause a DSP that is monitoring theconnection to mistakenly report that a party pressed a key. Thisdisadvantage is even more pronounced in a wireless environment, wherethe bit error rate or degraded audio quality of the connection oftenprecludes the receipt of a continuous tone.

[0009] Another disadvantage in prior directory assistance systems is theinability to restrict the caller's use of the directory assistancesystem to connect to specified parties. For example, the party payingfor a caller's wireless telephone service may wish to restrict thecaller from making any long-distance calls, or to limit the caller tocalls to other parties within one organization, etc. Without the abilityto limit the caller's connections through the directory assistancesystem, the caller could circumvent the paying party's restrictions byhaving the directory assistance system complete the call for him or her.

[0010] Traditionally, directory assistance has focused on providingtelephone number directory information only. Typically, a directoryassistance operator receives a request from a caller for the telephonenumber of a desired party. The operator locates the required number froma listing directory and may either give the number to the caller orconnect the caller to the desired party.

[0011] Each year, a growing number of people spend a significant amountof time traveling for business or pleasure. Mobile communication andportable computers have created an opportunity for these people toconduct business and communicate while on the move. Wireless telephoneshave become a standard business tool in this environment. Wirelesstelephone users may find current directory assistance servicesinconvenient or difficult to use. Such users are usually away from theirgeneral work environments (for example, traveling in a vehicle), andthus may not be able to remember, or make a note of a desired number.Callers who would normally be able to call upon secretaries or personalassistants at their offices, may not have access to such assistance whentraveling. The wireless telephone caller thus needs a comparable serviceto that which they would experience in an office environment. Whileimprovements to telephone directory assistance have been made over theyears, such systems do not fully address the needs of wireless telephoneusers.

[0012] The present assignee has redressed certain of the above-mentioneddifficulties by providing directory assistance services that eliminatethe need to make notes of the desired number, or undertake a redialingexercise as well as by providing verbal driving directions. The presentassignee has also established a country-wide network of directoryassistance or call centers that are able to provide its customers withnationwide directory assistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] However, in today's directory assistance environments, operatorresources are primarily focused on providing telephone number directoryassistance. Having an operator respond to a customer's request forconcierge-type services would be expected to introduce delays andinefficiencies into a directory assistance system. Moreover, theinformation infrastructure to allow operators to provide concierge-typeservices in a timely and efficient manner is not generally available inthe current directory assistance environment.

[0014] Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide a method andapparatus by which a caller can, for the duration of a telephone call(i.e., until the calling telephone disconnects from the directoryassistance platform), maintain his or her connection to the directoryassistance platform and repeatedly receive directory assistance in avariety of forms with minimal or no action on his or her part. There isalso a need in the art for means and an apparatus for allocating amonitoring resource, such as a DSP, to a minimal number of telephonicconnections. In addition, there is a need for means and an apparatus forverifying a caller's authorization to connect to a requested destinationparty through a directory assistance platform.

[0015] There is also a need for a nationwide telephonic system that isable to efficiently and effectively receive and respond to requests forconcierge-type services from calling customers traveling throughout thecountry. The system should be able to respond to requests regardless ofthe locale of the customer or the geographical destination of therequest.

[0016] In view of the above disadvantages of the related art, it is anobject of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus formaintaining a telephonic connection for the duration of a telephone callthrough a directory assistance platform (i.e., until the callingtelephone disconnects from the platform) and automatically reconnectinga directory assistance-routed caller to a directory assistance provider.

[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to detect, duringa call to a customer's destination party, a telephone networkcommunication problem that causes the call to be unsuccessful, and toconnect the caller, with substantially no further action on his or herpart, to a live operator for further assistance.

[0018] It is another object of the invention to detect a ring-no-answercondition while attempting a call to a customer's destination party,and, upon such detection, to maintain the connection attempt and presentthe caller with a menu of directory assistance service options,including the option to continue monitoring the ring tone.

[0019] It is a further object of the invention to detect a busy signalwhile attempting a call to a customer's destination party, and, uponsuch detection, to terminate the connection attempt and present thecaller with a menu of directory assistance service options, includingthe option to re-dial the same number.

[0020] It is also an object of the invention to provide a method andapparatus for providing directory assistance services, such asconnecting customers to directory assistance providers, allowingrepeated directory assistance requests from each customer, searching forinformation to satisfy directory assistance requests, providing suchinformation to customers, and connecting customers to their desireddestination parties, as well as enhanced directory assistance services,e.g., recording messages from customers for delivery to destinationparties and allowing destination parties, upon delivery of a recordedmessage, to return the customer's call with minimal action by thedestination party.

[0021] It is a further object of the invention to verify a customer'sauthorization to complete calls through a directory assistance system.To enable such verification, along with the customer's call, dataconcerning the calling telephone number and the location from which thecall originated is also received. Based upon the caller's identity andstored information concerning restrictions on the customer's callingauthority, the caller's authorization for connecting to desireddestination parties can then be verified.

[0022] It is a still further object of the invention to provide adirectory assistance customer with numerous opportunities to request,with minimal action on the customer's part, the directory assistancesystem to report the desired destination telephone number.

[0023] It is also an object of the invention to provide a directoryassistance customer with the customer's destination telephone number viathe customer's alphanumeric pager.

[0024] It is a still further object of the invention to implement theabove objects for callers using wireless telephones.

[0025] In accordance with the present invention, a directory assistancesystem is provided that includes a telephone switch or PBX forreceiving, establishing, routing, and connecting telephone calls, plustelephone operators, communication links to physically connect thedirectory assistance system components, and one or more computers,including at least one voice server, to perform a variety of directoryassistance functions (e.g., maintain and search databases containingtelephone numbers, billing information, call information, etc.; storeand execute instructions relating to the operation of the switch or PBX;provide automated voice services and operator functions). Providingaccess to and from the telephone switch are external communication linksthat support standard T1, Common Channel Signalling System 7 (“CCSS7”),or Integrated Digital Services Network (“ISDN”) communications.

[0026] Calls into the directory assistance system and connections fromthe system to a caller's destination number are made over externalcommunication links. Telephone connections over the communication linksare monitored to detect keypresses and connection status conditions(e.g., busy signal, dial tone). For example, outbound connections todestination parties are monitored by call progress analyzers (“CPA”) todetermine if an attempted call is unsuccessful (e.g., a busy signal isdetected); once applied, CPAs are allocated to the outbound connectionfor a period of time sufficient in length (illustratively determined bya specified number of rings of the destination telephone) to determinethe success or failure of the connection attempt.

[0027] The directory assistance system does not drop its connection to,and involvement in, a calling party's connection as soon as it initiatesa new call leg (i.e., an outbound call to a destination telephone).Rather, the directory assistance system maintains contact, ready toprovide further assistance from a directory assistance operator or avoice server until the calling party disconnects from the directoryassistance platform. By remaining in the call flow, a directoryassistance system according to this invention is able to provide muchfaster response to customers' subsequent assistance needs than washeretofore available, which is of particular value to wireless customerswho may be distracted by other events. In previous directory assistancesystems, in which the system would terminate its involvement after thecustomer was given its desired telephone number or the directoryassistance provider initiated a call attempt to the desired party, thecustomer was required to reconnect to the directory assistance system ifadditional assistance was desired. In a directory assistance systemaccording to the present invention, incoming directory assistancerequest calls are received by a telephone switch, which is controlled bya switch host computer, via an inbound member of the externalcommunication links and routed to a directory assistance provider. Thedirectory assistance provider may be either a live operator or a voiceserver that provides automated directory assistance. The switch hostcomputer stores and updates information concerning the status of eachactive directory assistance call.

[0028] In addition, a call record is created on a system server tostore, for billing purposes, the history of the customer's call. Afterreceiving a request from the caller, the directory assistance providerlocates and retrieves the telephone number of the caller's desireddestination party by searching directory assistance information storedon system servers. An outbound member of the communication links isseized in order to connect the caller to his or her party, and thedestination telephone number is dialed over that outbound member. Adual-tone multi-frequency (“DTMF”) receiver is applied to the inboundmember to detect customer keypresses, which may represent pre-specifieddirectory assistance requests. A call progress analyzer (“CPA”) isapplied to the outbound member for a period of time to monitor themember for any one of several pre-determined telephone call connectionstatus conditions that indicate an unsuccessful call attempt. Upondetection of such a connection status condition, or when the calledparty disconnects, the caller is redirected to a directory assistanceprovider for further assistance.

[0029] The present invention is also directed to providing a callingparty with telephonic concierge-type services. The concierge service isintended for use by, but not limited to, wireless telephone subscribers.The service encompasses a wide range of concierge-type services such asfor example a telephonic restaurant guide and reservation service,ordering specific services such as flowers or food delivery, arrangingtransportation, accessing entertainment guides, an event ticketing andreservation service, a hotel reservation and availability service aswell as a travel or flight reservation and ticketing services.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thesystem includes a nationwide wide area network (WAN) connecting aplurality of directory assistance centers to a server and directorylisting database located in an information hub. Communication channelsconnect calling customers to operators in the directory assistancecenter. A computer, preferably web-based, interface allows the operatorto interrogate the calling customer for information regarding a requestfor concierge services. Various databases in the system facilitate thegeneration of the request. Upon completion of the request (called a“ticket”), the ticket is submitted over the WAN. The server sends theticket to a fulfillment agent in a directory assistance center proximateto the concierge-type service request. A computer, preferably web-based,interface directs the fulfillment agent through the various actionsnecessary to fill the request. Communication channels, which allow thefulfillment agents to rapidly and easily connect to the variousestablishments desired by the calling customers, facilitate the fillingof the requests and the notification of the calling customer of thefilled request.

[0031] The method according to a preferred embodiment of the inventionis illustrated by the following example. A caller dials and is connectedto an enhanced directory assistance service. The caller is informedabout the concierge service by a recorded message or by an operator.Alternatively, the caller may already be aware of the concierge service.The operator then obtains a request from the caller. Such a request mayeither be a request for listing information, such as for example arequest for all vegetarian restaurants in a particular area, or thecaller may immediately request a reservation, at for example thecaller's favorite restaurant. The operator then obtains the caller'sdetails and inputs these details into a computer database. Such detailsmay include the caller's contact details, dietary preferences, desiredrestaurant location, type of credit card to be used, restaurant views,etc. The operator then looks up listing information from anothercomputer database, based on the caller details, to produce a desiredoutput such as a list of vegetarian restaurants in a specific suburb. Afulfillment agent attempts to contact the restaurant to make thereservation. Finally, the caller is notified whether the reservation wasin fact made or not, and any reservation details, if applicable.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the reservation process is undertakenby a fulfillment agent who exclusively attends to such requests, thusallowing the operator to attend to other tasks. In an alternativeembodiment, the operator who receives the request for concierge servicesmay attend to the request.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0034]FIG. 1 depicts the components of a directory assistance systemaccording to the invention;

[0035]FIG. 2 provides a detailed view of a telephone switch used in anembodiment of the invention;

[0036]FIG. 3 provides a detailed view of a voice server used in anembodiment of the invention;

[0037] FIGS. 4A-E are flowcharts depicting a method of implementing theinvention;

[0038]FIG. 5 is a telephonic system according to a preferred embodimentincluding a wide area network;

[0039]FIG. 6 illustrates a first graphical user interface of the presentinvention;

[0040]FIG. 7 illustrates a second graphical user interface of thepresent invention;

[0041]FIG. 8 illustrates a third graphical user interface of the presentinvention;

[0042]FIG. 9 illustrates a fourth graphical user interface of thepresent invention;

[0043]FIG. 10 illustrates a fifth graphical user interface of thepresent invention;

[0044]FIG. 11 is a flow chart depicting an embodiment of the method bywhich telephonic concierge assistance is provided to a caller; and

[0045]FIG. 12 is a flow chart further depicting an embodiment of themethod by which telephonic concierge assistance is provided to a caller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The following embodiments will be described in the context of aprivate telephone switch connected via conventional T1 communicationlinks to customers using wireless telephones. Those skilled in the art,however, will recognize that the disclosed methods and structures arereadily adaptable for broader applications. Note that whenever the samereference numeral is repeated with respect to different figures, itrefers to the corresponding structure in each figure.

[0047] With reference to FIG. 1, a directory assistance system 100according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is depicted. Oneor more external communication links 102 connect directory assistancesystem 100 to customers and customer telephone networks. (The T1 carrieris the most commonly used digital line in the United States, Canada, andJapan. In these countries, it carries 24 pulse code modulation (PCM)signals using time-division multiplexing at an overall rate of 1.544megabits per second. T1 lines use copper wire and span distances withinand between major metropolitan areas. It should be appreciated thatother systems may also be used.) Communication links 102 connect totelephone switch 104, which is connected to switch host computer 106 viaswitch data link 108. In an alternative embodiment, switch host computer106 is coterminous with telephone switch 104.

[0048] Telephone switch 104 (also referred to herein as a “switchingmatrix platform”) is attached via a T1 communication link to channelbank 110, and from there connects to operator channel 112 and aplurality of operator and fulfilment agent telephones 116 and 117respectively. Operator telephones are located at each of one or moreoperator positions (represented by the numeral 114 in FIG. 1), andfulfilment agent telephones are located at each of one or morefulfilment agent positions (represented by the numeral 119 in FIG. 1).Using operator data terminal 118, a live operator at operator position114 accesses one or more system servers 120, which are interconnectedvia data network 122. Switch host computer 106 is also connected to datanetwork 122. Finally, switch 104 is connected to one or more voiceservers, which are described below. Each connection to a voice serveremploys a T1 voice server link (a first voice server link 124 is shownin FIG. 1).

[0049] The data network 122 may, but not necessarily, also furtherconnect to a directory listing/concierge (DL/C) database server 136 anda caller profile database server 134. The caller profile database server134 stores detailed information about a subscriber. Such details mayinclude the subscriber's name, contact details, preferences, dietaryrequirements, likes and dislikes, past logged activities, etc. The DL/Cdatabase server 136 may contain directory listing information onrestaurants, events, accommodation, transportation, travel informationand booking, stock prices, weather and other services such as grocery orflower delivery, etc.

[0050] In one embodiment, the voice server 120 b, data server 120 a, andswitch host computer 106 have redundant systems (not shown), which canoperate as either back-up systems in the event of primary systemfailure, or provide load-sharing in either a master-slave or apeer-to-peer relationship with the primary system.

[0051] As stated above, communication links 102 provide telephoneconnections to directory assistance system 100 for incoming directoryassistance calls and also provide access to external telephone networksover which outgoing calls are placed. An incoming call is received viainbound channel 102 a (shown in FIG. 2) and an outgoing call is placedover outbound channel 102 b (shown in FIG. 2). There is generally oneoutbound channel 102 b for every inbound channel 102 a, so that forevery call into directory assistance system 100 there is an outboundchannel available to reach the caller's desired party or parties.Communication links 102 may, in an illustrative embodiment, be comprisedof one or more T1 communication spans which are known in the art. Insuch an embodiment, each individual call over a T1 span, whether into orout of telephone switch 104, utilizes one of the 24 individual channelsinto which a T1 span is segmented, each channel providing two-waycommunications.

[0052] Telephone switch 104 is now described in further detail withreference to FIG. 2. Operation of telephone switch 104 is governed bycomputer-readable instructions stored and executed on switch hostcomputer 106. In one embodiment of the invention, telephone switch 104is an Excel LNX 2000 and switch data link 108 is a 38.4 kb serial link;in another embodiment, switch data link 108 is an Ethernet link.

[0053] Telephone switch 104 includes expandable central processing unit(“EXCPU”) 204 and/or matrix central processing unit (“MXCPU”) 204.EXCPU/MXCPU 204 serves as an interface for telephone switch 104 toswitch host computer 106 (via switch data link 108).

[0054] EXCPU/MXCPU 204 and other components of telephone switch 104communicate through shared communication path 202, commonly called a“midplane.” In the currently-described embodiment, midplane 202 utilizesa time division multiplexing (“TDM”) method of sharing a common pathway.Thus, a plurality of data and/or voice streams can be interlaced ontothe single path, separated by time.

[0055] Another board-level component of telephone switch 104 ismulti-frequency digital signal processor (“MFDSP”) unit 210, whichincludes four single in-line memory module (“SIMM”) packagings. EachSIMM packaging is comprised of four DSP arrays. Each DSP array iscomposed of multiple, illustratively sixteen, programmable DSPs. TheDSPs can be programmed or reprogrammed to function as, among otherthings, call progress analyzers (“CPA”), call progress generators(“CPG”), multi-frequency (“MF”) receivers or transmitters, dual-tonemulti-frequency (“DTMF”) receivers or transmitters, or conference units,depending upon the demand placed on directory assistance system 100 andtelephone switch 104 for each corresponding function.

[0056] CPAs (represented by the numeral 218 in FIG. 2) are sensitive to,and capable of identifying, telephone connection status conditions andsignals including ring tone, busy, reorder, PBX intercept, SITintercept, vacant code, reorder-SIT, no circuit LEC, reorder-carrier, nocircuit-carrier, dial tone, continuous on tone, and silence. In anexemplary embodiment of the invention, one CPA will monitor only oneoutbound channel 102 b at a time. In other embodiments of the invention,one CPA may be applied to more than one outbound channel. However, toensure that connection status conditions are properly detected, thenumber of outbound channels monitored by one CPA should be kept to aminimum (i.e., no more than four). In still other embodiments of theinvention, two or more DSPs may be applied to a single outbound channel.

[0057] CPGs (represented by the numeral 212 in FIG. 2) generate tones tocustomers connected to directory assistance system 100, such as theringback tone customers hear when they are routed to an operator.

[0058] DTMF receivers (represented by the numeral 214 in FIG. 2) listenfor DTMF tones generated by customers' telephones, such as when acustomer presses a telephone button. DTMF receivers are capable ofdetecting and identifying which button was pressed (i.e., the numbers0-9 or the characters “*” or “#”) and passing that information to switchhost computer 106 for appropriate action. DTMF receivers are assigned tomonitor inbound channels for a configurable period of time,illustratively, from the time of a caller's initial connection totelephone switch 104 to the time the caller disconnects, including theduration of all outbound call legs made on the caller's behalf. Onceapplied to an inbound channel, a DTMF receiver allows telephone switch104 to detect the press of a telephone button, perhaps done in order toactivate tone-triggered return transfer as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,737,700, which is incorporated herein by reference, or another featureof directory assistance system 100.

[0059] Conference units (represented by the numeral 216 in FIG. 2)enable telephone switch 104 to connect two or more voice paths in abalanced manner, thereby providing the necessary voice connectionsbetween calling parties, called parties, and directory assistanceproviders.

[0060] In the presently-described embodiment, each DSP array providesmultiple instances of the function for which it is programmed, the exactnumber depending upon the specific function. For example, each DSP arrayprogrammed to provide CPA, CPG, or DTMF receiver functions providessixteen instances of the chosen function. In other words, a DSP arrayprogrammed to provide call progress analyzer functions will containsixteen separately and independently functional and controllable CPAs. ADSP array programmed to provide conference unit functions, however,provides only four instances of such function. The programmable DSPs onMFDSP unit 210 are managed by switch host computer 106 via EXCPU/MXCPU204, which keeps track of which DSPs are available and which areallocated.

[0061] An additional board-level component of telephone switch 104 is T1interface unit 230. Switch 104 contains one or more T1 interface units;each unit provides connections to eight T1 (1.544 Mb/sec) spans, each ofwhich is comprised of 24 channels, thus providing 192 64 kb voicechannels per T1 interface unit. In FIG. 2, T1 interface 230 dedicatestwelve channels on each of six of the eight spans to incoming calls andthe other twelve to outgoing calls. The seventh T1 span serves as voiceserver link 124, and the eighth functions as a link to channel bank 110and operator channel 112. Voice server link 124 and operator channel 112are used to connect directory assistance callers to a voice server or alive operator, respectively.

[0062] It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that multipleinstances of telephone switch 104 may be incorporated into a telephonenetwork or directory assistance system 100 without exceeding the scopeof this invention.

[0063] In the preferred embodiment, the switching matrix platform (orswitch 104) supports digital T1 telephone circuits and includes digitalsignal processing circuitry which provides the requisite conferencecapability (described below), SS7 message generation/detectioncapabilities, and dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) and multi-frequency(MF) tone generation/detection capabilities. With respect to the SS7functionality, the switching matrix platform acts as a signaling node,also known as a service switching point.

[0064] Switch host computer 106 stores and executes computer-readableinstructions for purposes of, among others, configuring and operatingtelephone switch 104 and directing the transfer of calls through switch104. It also directs the playback of recorded messages to callersconnected to directory assistance system 100. Pre-recorded greeting andclosing messages played for callers are recorded in the voice of theoperator to whom the caller will be, or was, connected. Switch hostcomputer 106 directs the playback of the appropriate message byidentifying the operator and the inbound channel 102 a the caller isconnected to and specifying the message to be played.

[0065] Further, switch host computer 106 maintains call data for eachdirectory assistance call connected to directory assistance system 100.The call data stored on the host computer consists of the most recentassistance request received from each caller, and includes one or moreof: the calling telephone number, the date and time of the caller'sconnection to directory assistance system 100, the T1 span and channelthe caller is connected to, the caller's desired destination telephonenumber, the status of the caller's previous directory assistancerequest, which operator assisted the caller, etc. Additional call datais stored on system servers 120, as described below. The call datastored on switch host computer 106 and system servers 120 are providedto directory assistance providers when a caller makes multiple directoryassistance requests in one call to directory assistance system 100. Byconsidering the collected call data, such as the information that wasprovided to a caller in a previous request, a directory assistanceprovider can tailor subsequent assistance to be more effective.

[0066] Switch host computer 106 also directs the transfer of informationbetween itself and system servers 120 (via data network 122) as well asbetween system servers 120 and switch 104 and operator position114/fulfilment agent position 119 (via channel bank 110 and operatorchannel 112).

[0067] Operator position 114 includes means by which a live operatorreceives calls, determines caller's informational needs, searches forand retrieves information from system servers 120, provides informationto callers, and initiates outgoing calls. In an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention, an operator at operator position 114 is provided with atelephone headset 116 for interacting with callers, and data terminal118, connected to data network 122, for interacting with system servers120.

[0068] Each operator and fulfillment agent is equipped with a terminal118 and 121 that includes a monitor and keyboard with associated dialingpad. The operator terminals are coupled over a data network 122 to adata server 120 a, allowing an operator to access the data in dataserver 120 a through the operator terminals 118 and fulfillment agentterminals 121.

[0069] System servers 120, which are interconnected via data network122, include one or more data servers 120 a which provide and managedata services within directory assistance system 100. Data servers 120 amaintain databases containing telephone and business directories,billing information, and other information in computer-readable form tobe searched by operators in response to callers' requests. As introducedabove, data servers 120 a also store call data for later retrieval bydirectory assistance providers furnishing subsequent assistance to acaller. The call data stored on data servers 120 a illustrativelyinclude how and where a directory assistance provider searched forinformation to satisfy a customer request, the information retrieved bythe assistance provider, how that information was displayed for theassistance provider, and the form in which it was communicated to thecaller. Unlike switch host computer 106, data servers 120 a save calldata concerning all requests made by a caller during one call todirectory assistance system 100, not just the most recent request, butonly for a predetermined period of time (illustratively, one hour).

[0070] Billing information is stored in the form of call records, whichare created for each customer call into directory assistance system 100.They contain data such as the caller's telephone number, the date andtime of the caller's connection to directory assistance system 100, thedates and times of attempted connections to destination parties, theduration of each call leg, etc. One or more call records are created forrecording events occurring during a directory assistance call, and areclosed when the customer disconnects from directory assistance system100.

[0071] The software used to create and manipulate the databases on dataservers 120 a is known in the art of computer software and allowsdirectory assistance providers to search the databases by name, address,type of goods or services, geographical region, etc. In FIG. 1, switchhost computer 106 and data servers 120 a are depicted as distinctentities; in an alternative embodiment they are coterminous.

[0072] System servers 120 also include one or more voice servers (afirst voice server 120 b is shown in FIG. 1) that provide, inalternative embodiments of the invention, all or a subset of theoperator functions provided by a live operator at operator position 114.For example, voice servers store and deliver messages that liveoperators would otherwise be required to frequently repeat for callers,such as greetings, closing messages, and the caller's requestedtelephone number.

[0073] The voice server 120 b, also called a voice response unit (VRU),is incorporated into the system to play the frequently repeated parts ofan operator's speech, namely the various greetings and signoffs (orclosings), and the caller's desired telephone number where requested.Not only does this system provide a voice-saving and monotony-relieffunction for the operators, it performs a “branding” function (i.e. thepre-recorded messages incorporate the name of the telephone companythrough which the caller was routed to the directory assistanceservice), and it also reduces the amount of time an operator is actuallyconnected to a caller. The voice server may also contain a voicerecognition system for receiving verbal input from a party connected tothe voice server.

[0074] The DL/C database server 136 and data server 120 a provideoperators with the means to search for a caller's desired party, anddetermine the appropriate telephone number. In the preferred embodiment,the databases provide the capability to search not just by name andaddress, but also by type of goods/services and/or geographical region,or by any other attribute in the caller record, including phone number.For example, the preferred database can answer queries soliciting thenames/numbers of Chinese restaurants on a given street. Data indexed inthis fashion is usually not commercially available, so the presentassignee starts with a commercially available database file (e.g. theDirectory Assistance Database Source available from U.S. West), andenriches it by adding further data manually. The databases may be SQLrelational databases. SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standardinteractive and programming language for getting information from andupdating a database. Queries take the form of a command language thatlets you select, insert, update, find out the location of data, and soforth. Database servers 134 and 136 may also be located at a centralizedlocation. Each remote LAN thus accessing these databases via the LAN.Servers 120 a and 136 are separated for ease of explanation, but may beincorporated into a single database.

[0075] Desirably, the results of the database search presented on theoperator's terminal 118 or fulfillment agent's terminal 121 are notalphabetized prior to display, but rather are presented in the orderlocated by the database search engine. (If desired, a deliberaterandomization of order could be effected before display.) Businesses atthe beginning of the alphabet are thereby not unduly favored by callersusing the directory assistance service. In the alternative, businessescan bid to be listed at the beginning of the list.

[0076] The database software itself is conventional. The presentlypreferred best mode is to use a relational database, such as isavailable from Sybase. However, much simpler software can alternativelybe used, such as DBase 4.

[0077] Directory listing information may be obtained from a number ofcommercially available services and/or may be manually entered into theDL/C database server 136.

[0078] In an illustrative embodiment, depicted in FIG. 3, voice server120 b is connected to telephone switch 104 by voice server link 124 andto switch host computer 106 and data servers 120 a via data network 122.Each voice server connects to telephone switch 104 via a separate voiceserver link. Voice server 120 b consists of a general purpose computerplus one or more voice cards (a first voice card 302 is depicted in FIG.3), which serve as the interface between voice server link 124 and voiceserver 120 b. Voice card 302 monitors and controls communications overvoice server link 124; its capabilities include telephone tone detectionand generation, voice recording and playback, and call progressanalysis. Therefore, very similar to telephone switch 104, voice server120 b is capable of detecting connection status conditions, detectingcustomer keypresses, and generating tones. Although FIG. 1 depicts voiceserver 120 b distinct from data servers 120 a, in alternativeembodiments they are coterminous.

[0079] Voice server 120 b also includes typical computer components suchas central processing unit 304, data storage unit 306, and bus 310 fortransferring voice and data signals. Voice server 120 b may also containa voice recognition subsystem (not shown) for receiving verbal inputfrom a party connected to the voice server.

[0080] Voice server link 124 provides voice connections betweentelephone switch 104 and voice server 120 b, thus providing means bywhich callers may be connected to voice server 120 b and receiveautomated operator assistance. Voice server link 124, in an illustrativeembodiment of the invention, is comprised of one or more T1 spans, witheach one of the 24 channels of each span providing two-waycommunication.

[0081] At appropriate stages in a call progression, the switch hostcomputer 106 initiates a voice path between the voice server and theswitch 104 such that the caller, or the caller and the operator, areable to hear whatever pre-recorded speech is played on that circuit bythe voice server. Computer 106 then instructs the voice server, via thedata network, what type of message to play, passing data parameters thatenable the voice server to locate the message appropriate to the callstate, the service-providing telephone company, and the operator. Therecording density used is high enough to provide a good enough qualityof message playback that most users of the system should be unaware theyare listening to a recording.

Advanced Directory Assistance Services

[0082] When, as described below in connection with one method ofimplementing this invention, the caller is connected to voice server 120b after a busy signal or a ring-no-answer condition is detected,subsequent monitoring of inbound channel 102 a and outbound channel 102b is performed by voice server 120 b; switch 104 continues to monitoroutbound channel 102 b to detect, for example, when the destinationtelephone is answered or disconnected. As mentioned above, voice server120 b contains voice card 302 which provides telephone signal detectionand generation capabilities comparable to those of telephone switch 104.By drawing upon these capabilities, directory assistance system 100 canoffer advanced directory assistance services to callers. Three servicesare of particular value, and directory assistance system 100 can beconfigured to automatically offer all, or a subset, of the threeservices to callers who encounter a busy signal or a ring-no-answercondition after the directory assistance system attempts to connect themto their destination parties.

[0083] The first service of particular interest serves to inform thecaller of the telephone number retrieved in response to the caller'sdirectory assistance request. Illustratively, the caller will press the“#” key to invoke this service. In response, voice server 120 b conveysa verbalization of each digit in the telephone number. Alternatively,the caller may press another key, such as the “7” key, to receive thedestination telephone number via his or her alphanumeric pager. Onemethod by which directory assistance system 100 may deliver thedestination telephone number to the caller's pager is by formatting amessage containing the information to be provided, sending the messageto a paging server maintained by the customer's service carrier, fromwhence it is sent across the carrier's paging network to the customer.The message may, alternatively, be received on another alphanumericcommunication device, such as the customer's wireless telephone. Themessage will typically be addressed to the customer's automaticnumbering identification (“ANI”) that was received with the customer'scall. The message passed to the customer will include the destinationtelephone number and may include further identification data such as thename and/or address of the destination party.

[0084] The second service allows a caller to leave a message for acurrently-unreachable destination party. Voice server 120 b records themessage provided by the caller and, at configurable time intervals inthe future, attempts to connect to the destination telephone. When asuccessful connection is established, the message is delivered. In apresent embodiment, if the successful connection is to a live person oran answering service, the answering person will be informed that amessage exists for a specified destination party and will be requestedto press a particular key to receive the message. After playing themessage, it may be played again. In this embodiment, if the successfulconnection is to an answering machine, the message will be played forthe machine to record, thus allowing the destination party to easilyretrieve it.

[0085] In an alternative embodiment of this service, the destinationparty will be required to call directory assistance system 100 toretrieve the message left for that party by the original caller. Theparty must enter an access code to retrieve the message, thus ensuringthat private messages are adequately protected. If delivery ornotification of the stored message is attempted for a predeterminednumber of times without success, the message will be deleted and thefailed delivery attempt will be noted.

[0086] The third service of particular interest enables a destinationparty to return a calling party's call via a single keypress, and hasparticular value when used in conjunction with the second service. Insuch a combination, after voice server 120 b plays the message for thedestination party, the destination party may press a specified key toinitiate a call to the original caller. Voice server 120 b will handlethis as a normal outgoing call.

Concierge-Like Services

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the telephonic system according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention includes a wide areanetwork (WAN) 30 covering a wide coverage area. The WAN 30 can be anInternet-based network such as the world wide web or can be a privateintranet based network. According to a preferred embodiment, the WAN 30covers an entire region (e.g., the entire eastern seaboard of the UnitedStates), an entire country (e.g., United States) or group of countries(e.g., all of Canada, Mexico and the United States). The WAN 30 connectsa plurality of operators and fulfillment agents dispersed throughout thewide coverage area in a plurality of directory assistance centers 21,22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27. Each of the directory assistance centers 21,22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, which in this instance comprises directoryassistance system 100 described above, covers one or more regionalcoverage areas. One or more information hubs 10 are also included in theWAN 30. An information hub 10 contains one or more databases 20 and oneor more servers 28 which are accessible by the operators, andfulfillment agents in system 100.

[0088] Operators are generally provided with web browser capabilities,telephone facilities as well as fully-featured operator user interfaceapplications which facilitate the searching and retrieval of directoryassistance information from database sources. It is well understood thatdirectory assistance operators receive and respond to requests fordirectory assistance. According to the present invention, in addition toresponding to requests for directory assistance, the operators arecapable of receiving requests from calling customers throughout thesystem for requests for concierge-type services. When a request forconcierge-type services is received by an operator, the operatorcompletes a record of the request. This record is referred to as a“ticket.”

[0089] A web-based form of ticket is accessible by each of the operatorsover the WAN. One such form is shown in FIG. 6. To complete the ticket,information regarding the concierge services request is gathered in anumber of ways. The customer may, for example, specifically request aparticular restaurant or a particular airplane flight or hotelreservation. Using a request for a restaurant reservation as an example,the operator may solicit from the calling customer their first choicefor a restaurant, their second choice for a restaurant, preferredseating times, alternative seating times, etc. In this case, informationmay be directly entered into the form.

[0090] More typically, however, the customer will have certaindesires—e.g., a vegetarian outdoor restaurant in ‘Cardiff by the Sea’ asper FIG. 6, or a midnight flight from New York's JFK Airport to SanDiego International airport. In this case, the operator will search thevarious databases at his/her disposal to compile a specific request forthe calling customer. (The term “operator” is meant to include bothhuman operators as well as automated operators such as voice responseand voice detection units.) The operator may then obtain directly fromthe calling customer information regarding preferred seating times,alternative seating times, etc.

[0091] Information, such as who the calling customer is and contactnumbers so that the system can confirm with the calling customer whenthe request is fulfilled, are advantageously obtained from informationregarding the calling customer residing on the system databases. Thesystem automatically uses this database information to complete part ofeach ticket.

[0092] According to the present invention, the operator's web browserprovides a direct connection to either a server in one of theinformation hubs, or to a central server, in the system. In essence, theoperator interface and the server are in a client-server arrangement.Thus, in effect, when the ticket is filled-in, the operator sends theticket over the WAN to the concierge database to be picked up forfulfillment.

[0093] Fulfillment agents fill the requests for concierge servicesreceived by the operators. Fulfillment agents are provided similar webbrowser and telephone facilities to those provided to the operators. Bymeans of the web browser, the fulfillment agent has access to one ormore web pages. These web pages provide the fulfillment agents withinformation regarding outstanding requests for concierge services. (Thepublic's access to these web pages is restricted so the privacy of thecalling customer is protected.) When a ticket created by an operatorneeds fulfillment in a particular regional coverage area, the web pagefor the fulfillment agent in that regional coverage area will change andindicate that a ticket needs to be processed. The system periodicallyrefreshes the web pages to keep fulfillment tickets current.Advantageously, the fulfillment agents are located throughout thecoverage area. A fulfillment agent preferably is an individual withspecialized knowledge of the regional coverage area and the servicesprovided therein so they can effectively fulfill the requests for localconcierge services. The fulfillment agent may be a call centersupervisor, an underutilized operator or a task specific employee in aparticular directory assistance center.

[0094] According to the preferred embodiment, a centralized conciergerelational database is maintained in a central information hub. Thepreferred database being a structured query language (SQL) relationaldatabase, although other relational and non-relational systems may beimplemented without departing from the scope or intent of the presentinvention. A motivation behind maintaining the concierge database in asingle information hub is that such centralization provides thecapability of receiving a request for concierge services in a firstregional coverage area where the requested services are in a secondregional coverage area. For example, suppose a business traveler in NewYork intends to fly later that day to San Diego to have dinner thatevening in “Cardiff by the Sea.” The traveler dials the New Yorkdirectory assistance center. The traveler informs the operator whoreceives the call in the New York center of his travel plans and hisdesire to eat at a “Cardiff by the Sea” restaurant. The operator in theNew York center creates the ticket for the business traveler. Thatticket is recorded in the centralized concierge database. The serverwill then automatically route the ticket to a fulfillment agent in theSan Diego directory assistance center. As a result, the ticket appearson the screen of the San Diego fulfillment agent in the San Diegodirectory assistance center.

[0095] Each directory assistance center has an identification numberand/or name. When an operator creates a ticket, the system by defaultassigns the ticket to the directory assistance center where it wascreated. This is accomplished by assigning the originating center'sidentification number/name to the ticket. However, the operators havethe capability to change this assignment, by manually inputting theidentification number/name of the center where the request for conciergeservices is to be directed. In the example above, the operator in theNew York center would change the identification number/name of thefulfilling center from the default of the New York center to the SanDiego center.

[0096] While implementation of full concierge databases/database serverin each directory assistance center adds administrative overhead, thepresent invention encompasses embodiments where the conciergedatabase/database server is not centralized in a single information hubbut is instead distributed throughout the system. Similarly, in afurther alternative embodiment in addition to the centralized database,one or more localized concierge databases may be maintained locally tokeep, maintain and update travel and concierge-type information relevantto only that particular locale. Further, while the concierge database isdescribed and depicted as a separate and independent database from theother maintained databases (e.g., directory assistance database or acustomer information database), it is well understood by those skilledartisans that the concierge database may reside as part of one or moreof the databases maintained by the organization.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 5, both the operators and fulfillment agentshave access to these concierge databases. The WAN 30 connects theoperators and fulfillment agents to the concierge databases 20. Ingeneral terms, the concierge database maintains information regardingconcierge services. For example, the concierge database includescustomer credit card information, and information regarding the statusof the request for concierge service. Typically, restaurants and hotellistings are maintained on a directory assistance database separate fromcustomer and ticket data. However, in an alternative embodiment, allconcierge information is maintained on a separate concierge database.

[0098] A further network is provided to connect the fulfillment agentsto providers of services, such as airlines, hotel chains, restaurants,travel agents (including web-based travel service providers such asExpedia, Priceline.com, Travelocity). Such a network connection may be apublic or private network (such as a VPN).

[0099]FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical interface used by an operator togenerate a ticket. The interface is designed so that the operator asksappropriate questions to accumulate sufficient information to fill thecustomer's request. The intent of the interface is that the ticket canbe filled by the fulfillment agent without further interaction betweenthe system and the calling customer. However, should further interactionbe required, the interface includes contact information so a follow-upphone call can be placed to the customer, either to advise the customerthat the request has been filled or to obtain further information so therequest may be filled. The interface shown in FIG. 6 is directed to arequest for a restaurant reservation. It should be appreciated thatdifferent interfaces may be used for different types of requests. Forexample, an interface may be specifically designed for hotelreservations, airplane reservations or car reservations. The operatorsmay select via menu the appropriate interface for the customer request.Alternatively, the appropriate menu may be selected automatically by thesystem based on skills-based routing or by dialed telephone number.

[0100] Referring now specifically to the interface shown in FIG. 6, theinterface includes a plurality of sets of fields, each of the fieldscapable of capturing data input. The first set of fields relates to theidentification of the calling customer. The first of the three fields inthe first set is the “Name of Reservation” indicating the callingcustomer requesting the reservation. The second field is the “CallerMIN” indicating the calling customer's Mobile Identification Number(MIN). The third field is the “Carrier ID” indicating the carrier whoprovided the call to the calling center. The system may be designed toinput the information into these fields automatically. The callingcenter's switching equipment described herein is capable of detectingthe information associated with these fields directly from the incomingcall. Thus, when an operator selects this interface in connection with acall, these fields may automatically be filled in. Additional fieldsrelating to the identification of the calling customer may also beautomatically filled in and displayed. The additional fields include thehome address of the calling party and the present location of thecalling party to the extent such information is available from thecarrier, by GPS or other locating means.

[0101] The next two sets of fields relate to the particular restaurantdesired by the calling customer. The first set of fields relate to thefirst choice for the restaurant, its phone number, and its address.Similarly, the second set of fields relate to the second choice for therestaurant, its phone number and its address. The fields titled “FirstChoice Restaurant” and “Second Choice Restaurant” are typicallycompleted with information solicited by the operator from the callingcustomer. However, records kept in the databases may include a list offavorite restaurants for this particular customer. In addition, theremay be more than one list of favorite restaurants maintained, one foreach of the different cities frequented by the calling customer. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, the operator may offer thecalling customer recommendations of restaurants from well-known lists ofrestaurants such as those generated by Zagats, Sidewalk.com or anotherdirector database maintained by the system. Advantageously, once the“restaurant names” fields are completed, the remaining fields relatingto the phone number and address of the restaurants may automatically befilled in by information obtained from the directory assistancedatabases maintained in the system. Relevant database information canalso be manually transferred by the operator into the ticket fields.

[0102] The next set of fields in the operator interface relate to thedetails needed for making the restaurant reservation. The first field istitled “Date of Reservation” which is the date the customer wants thereservation. This field is completed with information solicited by theoperator from the calling customer. The date of the telephone call isused as the default and may be modified by operator input to a futuredate if requested by the caller. The next field is titled “Number inParty” and corresponds to the size of the party for which thereservation is sought. This field is completed with informationsolicited by the operator from the calling customer. This fieldadvantageously may default to information contained in a record entry ina database corresponding to the calling customer's preferred size ofdining party. The third field is titled “Preferred Time” whichcorresponds to the time the calling customer desires the reservation.This field is completed with information solicited by the operator fromthe calling customer. This field advantageously may default toinformation contained in a record entry in a database corresponding tothe calling customer's preferred dining hour. The fourth field in thisset is titled “If unavailable then from:” which corresponds to thecalling customer's acceptable dining times. Again, this field iscompleted with information solicited by the operator from the callingcustomer and advantageously defaults to a record entry in a databasecorresponding to the calling customer's preferred dining hours.

[0103] The last set of fields in the operator interface corresponds tocontact information. The contact information fields comprise two sets offields corresponding to a contact name, contact method, and telephonenumber. Typically, this information advantageously defaults toinformation contained in a record entry in a database corresponding tothe calling customer's preferred contact names, methods and phonenumbers. The operator is expected to confirm with the calling customerthe correctness of this information. Regarding the contact method, apulldown menu is provided. Any number of contact methods are availableincluding phone, wireless phone, pager, fax, and email. Whenever oneparticular method is chosen, the corresponding telephone number and/oremail address appears. It is understood that the same name may beentered in both contact name fields but two different contact methodsmay be chosen, for example, phone and pager.

[0104] A notes field not illustrated in FIG. 6, is an additional fieldin which the operator may type in comments such as special dietaryrequirements, special seating requests, etc.

[0105] A further field not illustrated in FIG. 6 is the field associatedwith the center targeted to fill the request. As described previously,the system uses the center which generates the ticket as the defaultfulfillment center. However, in instances in which the caller seeksconcierge services outside the generating center's regional area, theoperator will modify the ticket to direct the ticket to the appropriatefulfillment center. In a preferred embodiment, the system, automaticallyrecognizes when the request for concierge services are outside thegenerating center's regional area and will prompt the operator if he/shewants to direct the ticket to a more appropriate calling center.

[0106] Some forms of tickets according to the preferred embodiment areillustrated in FIGS. 7-10. Referring to the form of ticket illustratedin FIG. 7, this ticket is presented by the system to a fulfillment agentsitting in the directory assistance call center which will fulfill theticket, in this example the San Diego call center. Via the WAN, theserver in the information hub directs a ticket to the display of a SanDiego fulfillment agent. The ticket provides the fulfillment agent withgeneral information regarding a customer's request for conciergeservices. For example, with the ticket shown in FIG. 7, the fulfillmentagent is provided with information regarding the identification of theticket, the date and time of the next action to fill the request, thedesired reservation date and time, the name of the requesting customer,the name of the target restaurant and the status of the request.

[0107] A first field is labeled “ID” and corresponds to theidentification of the particular request for concierge services. Theticket is linked in the database to other records regarding theconcierge services request such as all of the information taken down bythe operator in generating the request. The fulfillment agent can accessthese additional records by selecting the ID field. (Because the ticketis presented to the fulfillment agent in the form of a web page, thefulfillment agent may select the ID field by means of a mouse click. Thesystem server recognizes the mouse click and presents information to theoperator.)

[0108] It is understood that a fulfillment agent will usually attempt tofill more than one ticket at a time. Thus, a fulfillment agent willnecessarily have the capability to step through the various ticketscurrently at the fulfillment call center that require fulfillment. Thisadvantageously allows the fulfillment agent to prioritize which of thethen-pending tickets he/she will attempt to fulfill. Server software mayalso automatically prioritize tickets, allowing the fulfillment agent tooverride such prioritization if necessary. The concierge database may besearchable by any and all of the fields in the request, but preferablyby the restaurant or customer name. In FIG. 7 it is shown that the agentis provided on his/her screen, facilities to search requests byrestaurant name or by reservation name. In addition, the fulfillmentagent may step through the tickets pending at that call center, one byone, by page-up and page-down keys, or by back and forward keys on theweb browser interface.

[0109] The system creates an environment to ensure that tickets areresponded to by fulfillment agents in such a way so as to maximize theprobability that customers' requests are filled. One of the methods thatthe system implements towards this end is to prioritize, schedule andrecord all of the actions taken by the fulfillment agents on eachrequest. Thus, the system advantageously minimizes the amount of guesswork associated with the request. Instead, it provides each fulfillmentagent with clear instructions when attempts to fill a request should bemade. The field labeled “Next Action Date/Time” is integral in thisprocess. It informs the fulfillment agent of the time and date that theagent should attempt to fill the customer's request. The systemadvantageously includes an alarm subsystem which automatically signalsthe fulfillment agent that an action should be taken toward thefulfillment of the request.

[0110] In terms of prioritization, the system employs one or more queueswhich allow the system to process tickets based on next action time.Depending upon the availability of system resources, the system mayassign a plurality of fulfillment agents to each of the queues tomaximize the probability of request fulfilment. Each ticket's nextaction time is preferably based on when an action last took place. Aticket's next action time may be set as follows:

[0111] 1. No further action required as of midnight of the reservationdate.

[0112] 2. Currently needs further processing.

[0113] 3. Needs more processing as target telephone was busy.

[0114] 4. Needs more processing as targeted telephone had no answer.

[0115] 5. Fulfillment agent may override the next action time.

[0116] More urgent tickets may be processed before less urgent ones. Thesystem weighs a number of factors in determining which of the ticketsare most urgent. These factors include the proximity between the currenttime and the reservation date and time and the duration of time that therequest has been under the status “Requires Fulfillment.” In addition,particular customers may warrant higher or different priority treatment.With these requests, the systems may place these tickets ahead of othertickets in the queue. Alternatively, the system may employ two queues,one for priority customers and one for non-priority customers. Specialfulfillment agents, such as those having special language skills orthose having more years of experience on the job, may be assigned to thepriority queues.

[0117] Scheduling and recording of the processing of tickets is nowdescribed in connection with FIGS. 8-10. FIG. 8 illustrates a ticketafter its creation. The ticket comprises a request section and an eventsection. The request section appears just below the event section and issimply the request as taken down by the operator as described above inconnection with FIG. 6. The fulfillment agent may scroll up and down thepage to view the different portions of the ticket.

[0118] The event section is illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. The eventsections are essentially a menu-driven table. The event tablefacilitates the scheduling and recordation of all of the actions takenupon a particular request. A time and date stamp identifies when thelast action was taken upon the request. Next, a menu driven list setsforth all of the permissible actions that may be taken with respect tothe request. The list of permissible actions include calling the firstrestaurant, calling the second restaurant, contacting the first customercontact, contacting the second customer contact, or simply viewing therequest. Additional action types may be added, as needed. One of themajor advantages of the present invention is the ease by which theseactions are taken by the fulfillment agent. Upon selection of aparticular action, the directory assistance center automaticallyretrieves the number or routing information of the appropriate party(e.g., the telephone number of the first or second restaurants or thepager or email address of the first or second customer contact) from theticket record and may thereafter attempt to establish a connection withthe appropriate party. The directory assistance center of the presentinvention includes one or more voice and/or data connections whichprovide connection to a public network over which outgoing calls ormessages may be placed. Because of this environment, when thefulfillment agent selects a particular action in the menu, a connectionto the appropriate party may be established without further action onthe part of the fulfillment agent. This eliminates the requirement thatthe fulfillment agent look up the telephone number in some database(whether it be a phone book or computer database), manually dial thetelephone number, redial if a misdial occurs, look up a second numberfor the second restaurant, and so on. Thus, the present inventionsignificantly reduces the time and effort associated with providingconcierge services. The fulfillment agent may also, if desired, manuallydial the desired telephone number.

[0119] The next column in the event table is a menu driven list of theresults of the last action. The list of permissible results of the lastaction include both the successful completion of an action (e.g.,reservation made at desired time, customer contact notified andreservation confirmed, etc.), incomplete attempt to complete action(leaving message on answering machine of restaurant, being placed onwaiting list of restaurant, reservation available but outside range oftime, unable to contact person, etc.) as well as the failure to completea request because of the inability of the restaurant to meet thecustomer request (no reservation within range requested, no tablesavailable, etc.). In addition, any of the possible network communicationevents such as ring-no-answer, busy, or network problem may be result oflast action. These network communication events may advantageously bedetected by the directory assistance center and automatically enteredinto the list.

[0120] The next column in the events table is a place for thefulfillment agent, if applicable, to write any notes. These notes, alongwith the remainder of the ticket, allow a second fulfillment agent topickup where a first fulfilment agent left off and continue processingthe first fulfillment agent's ticket.

[0121] A ticket has a current status. The ticket may be “new.” A “new”ticket indicates there is a first action to be taken for the reservationrequest. The ticket may “require fulfillment.” A ticket “requiringfulfillment” indicates a first action has been taken but further actionsare required. The ticket may “require customer notification.” A ticketrequiring customer notification indicates that the customer must benotified because either the reservation has been successfully completedor there was a failure to complete the reservation and no other actionsare possible. The ticket may also be “canceled” or “closed” indicatingthat the customer has canceled the request or that the request has beencompleted and the ticket has been closed. A “notified” ticket indicatesthat the customer has been informed of the status of the request.

[0122] The event section of the ticket further includes a next actiontime/date. Whenever further actions are required on the ticket, thesystem automatically establishes a time and date for the next furtheraction to be taken. The system uses a simple algorithm to establish thetime and date for the next action. So long as there is sufficient timebetween the current time and the time by which the reservation must bemade, the next action time/date will be set at regular intervals (forexample, every 15 or 30 minutes). However, when the time between thecurrent time and the time by which the reservations must be made drawsnear, the next action time/date will accelerate to ensure the customeris notified. This auto next action time may be manually overridden.

[0123] Method of Operation

[0124] One method of implementing the present invention is depicted inFIGS. 4A-4E. As an initial process, switch host computer 106 isprogrammed at step 400 with instructions for configuring and operatingtelephone switch 104 in accordance with the present invention. Theinstructions are loaded in computer-readable form, as is known in theart.

[0125] A directory assistance call is received (step 402) by directoryassistance system 100 at T1 interface 230 of telephone switch 104 viainbound communication channel 102 a. A directory assistance call mayoriginate at virtually any telephone, whether wireless, portable, orstationary. Callers of a particular telephone company simply dial theaccess digits established for directory assistance by that company.Examples of typical access digits are “#555” and “555-1212.” Theparticipating telephone company's own switching system will then reroutethe call to the directory assistance service center 100 (via a T1channel), where it appears as an incoming call.

[0126] In receiving the call, directory assistance system 100 alsoreceives data concerning the caller's identity, such as the caller'sANI, and the area of the call's origination, such as the originatingcell site. This information is used, as described below, to verify thatthe customer is authorized to connect to the desired destination partyvia directory assistance system 100.

[0127] Switch host computer 106 and data server 120 a commence (step404) the collection of call data, starting with the information listedimmediately above. The call data is updated as directory assistancesystem 100 takes action on behalf of the caller. Therefore, when acaller makes successive assistance requests, the directory assistanceprovider (i.e., a live operator or voice server 120 b) called upon tosatisfy each subsequent request can refer to information concerning thecaller's connection to directory assistance system 100 and theinformation provided in response to the caller's previous requests.

[0128] Switch host computer 106 determines (step 406) whether anydirectory assistance operators are available. If no operators areimmediately available, and the caller has not already been waiting (step408) for an operator, CPG 212 generates (step 410) a ringback toneacross T1 interface 230 to inform the calling customer that his or hercall is being queued to await an available operator. Waiting calls arethen placed (step 412) into an automatic call distribution queue(“ACDQ”) which is maintained by switch host computer 106 and constructedsuch that queued calls are routed to available operators in the order inwhich they were received. When one or more operators are available (step406), a queued call, or if no calls are queued then a new call, isconnected (step 414) to an available operator by switch 104 throughEXCPU/MXCPU 204 and operator channel 112. In one embodiment of theinvention, calls that are returned to an ACDQ due to an unsuccessfulattempt to complete an outgoing call are placed into a separate ACDQthat has a higher priority than the ACDQ that holds new calls.

[0129] Once connected to an operator, a greeting message is played (step416) for the caller. In illustrative embodiments, the message may belive from an operator or recorded (in the voice of the operator to whomthe call is connected) and played back by voice server 120 b. Switchhost computer 106 directs the playback of recorded messages from voiceserver 120 b by identifying the inbound channel 102 a and the operatorwith which the caller is connected and specifying the message that voiceserver 120 b is to play.

[0130] The caller typically then states (step 418) his or her directoryassistance request by identifying, as far as he or she is able, thedestination party he or she wishes to contact. The operator searchesdatabases of information (e.g., listings of private individuals andbusinesses), stored on data servers 120 a, for the appropriatedestination telephone number. Database records matching the caller'squery may be displayed on the inquiring operator's data terminal 118 ina variety of formats, such as alphabetical, random, etc. The operatorretrieves (step 420) the information most closely matching the caller'srequest.

[0131] Based on the destination telephone number retrieved by theoperator, the caller identification information received with the callby directory assistance system 100, and call authorization data storedon data servers 120 a, the operating software on the data serversattempts to verify (step 422) the caller's authorization to connect tothe destination telephone number through directory assistance system100. For example, a caller may not be authorized to make long-distancetelephone calls on his or her account. When such a caller connects todirectory assistance system 100 from his or her home local calling area,the software simply determines whether the caller is trying to call adestination telephone number outside of the caller's local calling area.If, however, the caller is connected to directory assistance system 100from a calling area outside of his or her home local calling area, thesoftware uses the ANI received with the call, as well as the destinationtelephone number, to determine whether the caller is attempting to placea long-distance call.

[0132] If the caller is not authorized (step 422) to make the requestedcall through directory assistance system 100, the caller will merely beprovided with the destination telephone number (step 424). Additionally,the caller may only be authorized to receive information from directoryassistance system 100 (i.e., he or she may not place any calls throughthe system). In this situation, the caller could never advance furtherthan step 424.

[0133] If, however, authorization is verified (step 422), the operatorinitiates an outgoing call for the caller by seizing (step 426) outgoingcommunication channel 102 b from T1 interface 230 and outdialing (step428) the destination telephone number. Outdialing is a function oftelephone switch 104, whereby switch 104 transmits the destinationtelephone number after it is entered. Entry of the destination telephonenumber may be done manually by an operator (i.e., the operator keys thenumber in via operator telephone 116) or automatically by data server120 a (i.e., data server 120 a delivers the destination telephone numberto switch 104 after the number is identified by the operator).

[0134] Switch host computer 106 is notified of the outgoing call andautomatically instructs telephone switch 104 to apply (step 430) CPA 218to outbound channel 102 b and DTMF receiver 214 to inbound channel 102 aafter outdialing. Although a plurality of the programmable DSPs on MFDSPunit 210 are allocated and configured as CPAs and DTMF receivers, theyremain in a quiescent state until assigned to an outbound channel.Telephone switch 104 then connects (step 432) the calling customer oninbound channel 102 a to the outgoing call on outbound channel 102 b.

[0135] CPA 218 monitors the outgoing call on outbound channel 102 b fora predetermined number of rings, a predetermined amount of time, oruntil a specified connection status is detected. A successful call, inwhich the destination telephone is answered, is recognized by T1interface 230 of switch 104. Illustratively, T1 interface 230 identifiesa successful call by detecting, on outbound channel 102 b, the bittransition that occurs when the destination telephone converts from anon-hook status to an off-hook status. The detection of a successful callis relayed to switch host computer 106 by switch 104. In one telephoneswitch according to the invention, T1 interface 230 first notifiesEXCPU/MXCPU 204 of the successful call via TDM midplane 202. EXCPU/MXCPU204 in turn notifies switch host computer 106 via switch data link 108.

[0136] When an outgoing call is successfully completed (step 433),directory assistance system 100 remains passively connected to the call.When the destination telephone is disconnected (step 434), T1 interface230 detects another bit transition indicating that the destinationtelephone changed from off-hook to on-hook, and switch 104 drops (step436) CPA 218 and DTMF receiver 214.

[0137] If and when the customer disconnects (step 438), whether beforeor after the called party disconnects, the customer's call is brokendown and the connection between the customer and directory assistancesystem 100 is terminated. If the caller does not disconnect fromdirectory assistance system 100 within a configurable period of timeafter the called party disconnects, voice server 120 b is connected(step 440) to the caller via voice server link 124. Voice server 120 b,utilizing the capabilities of voice card 302, then commences (step 442)its own DTMF detection and, substantially simultaneously, presents (step446) the caller with an audio menu of selected directory assistanceoptions. The caller selects (step 448) an option by pressing thespecified key, illustratively, the “#” key to hear (step 450) arecitation of the destination telephone number, the “*” key to beconnected (step 452) to a live operator at operator position 114, or the“7” key to have directory assistance system 100 convey the destinationtelephone number to the caller by transmitting (step 454) it to thecaller's alphanumeric pager or telephone. The customer's input isdetected and identified by voice card 302. Voice server 120 b performsthe corresponding function, after which the caller may disconnect orreturn to step 446.

[0138] If, however, the call is unsuccessful (step 433), CPA 218 willdetect (step 460) a telephone connection status condition such as a ringtone, busy, reorder, PBX intercept, SIT intercept, vacant code,reorder-SIT, no circuit LEC, reorder-carrier, no circuit-carrier, dialtone, continuous on tone, or silence. Telephone switch 104 identifies(step 462) the condition and notifies switch host computer 106.Subsequent action depends upon which connection status condition wasdetected.

Busy Signal

[0139] If the detected condition is identified as a busy signal (step462), telephone switch 104 drops (step 480) CPA 218 and DTMF receiver214 from outbound channel 102 b and inbound channel 102 a, respectively,then terminates (step 482) the outgoing call by releasing outboundchannel 102 b. Switch 104 then transfers (step 484) the caller to voiceserver 120 b so that the caller can receive automated directoryassistance. In order to transfer control of a call to voice server 120b, telephone switch 104 connects inbound channel 102 a to voice serverlink 124. As opposed to directory assistance systems in which a voiceserver, operating under the control of a switch host computer, is merelyconferenced or bridged onto a caller's connection with a switch orcalled parties, in the present embodiment of the invention not only doesthe voice server connect to the customer's call into directoryassistance system 100, it also takes control over the customer's call.In order to route a call back to switch 104, either for transfer to alive operator or to re-dial a destination telephone number, voice server120 b simply sends a specified message to switch host computer 106 viadata network 122 identifying which inbound channel the caller is on.Switch host computer 106 then instructs switch 104 to direct the newcall attempt.

[0140] Along with the caller's connection, voice server 120 b receives(step 486) the associated call data, described above, from switch hostcomputer 106 and data servers 120 a over data network 122. Voice server120 b then plays (step 488) a message to the caller, explaining that thedestination telephone is busy, and initiates (step 490) DTMF detectionon inbound channel 102 a, using voice card 302, in order to detect keyspressed by the caller.

[0141] Voice server 120 b presents (step 492) the caller with an audiomenu offering several directory assistance options. The caller chooses(step 494) one by pressing the specified key, illustratively, the “#”key to have voice server 120 b recite (step 496) the dialed telephonenumber, the “*” key to transfer (step 498) the caller to a liveoperator, the “1” key to record (step 500) a message for later deliveryto the destination party, the “2” key to transfer (step 502) the callback to switch 104 and attempt the same destination telephone numberagain (by resuming operation at step 426), or the “7” key to receive(step 504) the destination telephone number via the caller'salphanumeric pager or telephone. The caller's selection may,alternatively, be spoken into the caller's telephone and received by avoice recognition subsystem associated with, or contained within, voiceserver 120 b. Unless the caller disconnected from directory assistancesystem 100, transferred, or recorded a message for later delivery, voiceserver 120 b will automatically return to step 492 after performing therequested function. For the times when a caller records a message fordelivery to the destination party, voice server 120 b can be configuredto either return the caller to step 492 or terminate the caller'sconnection. If the caller chooses to transfer to a live operator,telephone switch 104 takes control of the call from voice server 120 b.If no operators are currently available, the caller hears a ringbacktone generated by CPG 212 and is placed into a queue, as explainedabove.

[0142] When a directory assistance-connected caller is rerouted to alive operator after an unsuccessful call attempt, regardless of whatconnection status condition was encountered, the live operator receivessubstantially the same call data as voice server 120 b did in step 486.

Ring-No-Answer Condition

[0143] When a ring-no-answer condition is detected (step 462), it isdesirable to allow sufficient time for the called party to answer thecall, but yet also provide the caller with options other than simplywaiting continuously for an answer. After telephone switch 104 drops(step 510) CPA 218 and DTMF receiver 214, it bridges (or conferences)voice server 120 b (step 512) onto the caller's connection. The ringtone received over outbound channel 102 b is muted (step 514), and voiceserver 120 b receives (step 516) the associated call data from switchhost 106 and data servers 120 a. Voice server 120 b then initiates (step518) its own DTMF detection, via voice card 302, in place of thecounterparts dropped by switch 104 and presents (step 520) the callerwith an audio menu.

[0144] The audio menu presented in response to a ring-no-answercondition is similar to that offered after a busy signal. The callerselects (step 522) an option by pressing the specified key,illustratively, the “#” key to have voice server 120 b recite (step 524)the dialed telephone number, the “*” key to transfer (step 526) thecaller to a live operator, the “1” key to continue monitoring (step 528)the outbound connection for an answer by the destination party, the “2”key to record (step 530) a message for later delivery to the destinationparty, or the “7” key to receive (step 532) the destination telephonenumber via the caller's alphanumeric pager or telephone. The caller'sselection may, alternatively, be spoken into the caller's telephone andreceived by a voice recognition subsystem associated with, or containedwithin, voice server 120 b. Unless the caller disconnected fromdirectory assistance system 100, transferred, chose to continuemonitoring outbound channel 102 b, or recorded a message for laterdelivery, voice server 120 b will automatically return to step 520 afterperforming the requested function. When a caller records a message fordelivery to the destination party, voice server 120 b can be configuredto either return the caller to step 520 or terminate the caller'sconnection. If the caller chooses to transfer to a live operator,telephone switch 104 takes control of the call from voice server 120 b.If no operators are currently available, the caller hears a ringbacktone generated by CPG 212 and is placed into an ACDQ, as explainedabove.

[0145] If the caller chooses the option of returning to the ring tone,voice server 120 b is dropped out of the conference, and switch 104 isresponsible for detecting DTMF signals in order to allow the caller toconnect to a live operator by pressing the “*” key. Unless thedestination telephone is answered or the “*” key is pressed, directoryassistance system 100 simply maintains the ringing outbound connectionuntil the caller disconnects.

[0146] If the called party answers the telephone after the call istransferred (step 512) to voice server 120 b, T1 interface 230 in switch104 detects a bit transition on outbound channel 102 b, as describedabove. Switch 104 then takes control of the call, terminates theconnection to voice server 120 b over voice server link 124, and thecaller and the called party are connected.

Network Communication Failure

[0147] Connection status conditions such as reorder, PBX intercept, SITintercept, vacant code, reorder-SIT, no circuit LEC, reorder-carrier, nocircuit-carrier, dial tone, continuous on tone, and silence indicate acommunication problem in the telephone network. In the event that one ofthese conditions is identified (step 462), subsequent action is quitedifferent from when a busy signal or ring-no-answer condition isdetected. Specifically, telephone switch 104 drops (step 464) CPA 218and DTMF receiver 214 and releases (step 466) outbound channel 102 b.Voice server 120 b is connected (step 468) to the caller, receives (step470) the associated call data, and informs (step 472) the caller that anetwork problem was encountered. The caller is then transferred (step474) to a live operator at operator position 114 and hears (step 476) areturn greeting message played by voice server 120 b. Note that thecaller was not required to take any action to be reconnected to a liveoperator; directory assistance system 100 automatically took thenecessary action. Subsequent activity resumes at step 418.

SS7 Connection Procedure

[0148] In a SS7 system, the telephone company or wireless carriertransmits call set-up information associated with the call to thedirectory assistance center from the telephone company' signalingnetwork node (via a T1 channel) to the directory assistance center. Forpurposes of illustration, a SS7 call initiation procedure will bedescribed, which is utilized not only in routing a caller's call to thedirectory assistance center, but also by the directory assistance centerin connecting the calling caller to the desired number.

[0149] The phone company (as the originating SSM) first transmits anInitial Address Message (TAM) to reserve an idle trunk circuit from theoriginating switch to the destination switch (in this case, switchingmatrix platform 104). The destination switch examines the dialed number,determines that it serves the called party and that the line isavailable for ringing. The destination switch then transmits an AddressComplete Message (ACM) to the originating switch to indicate that theremote end of the trunk has been reserved. The destination switch ringsthe called party line and sends a ringing tone over the trunk to theoriginating switch. When the originating switch receives the ACM, itconnects the calling party's line to the trunk to complete the voicecircuit from the calling party to the called party. The calling partyhears the ringing tone on the voice trunk. When the called party picksup the phone, the destination switch terminates the ringing tone andtransmits an Answer Message (ANM) to the originating switch. Theoriginating switch then verifies that the calling party's line isconnected to the reserved trunk and, if so, initiates billing.

[0150] During the course of the call, if the calling party hangs upfirst, the originating switch sends a Release Message (REL) to releasethe trunk circuit between the switches. Upon receiving the REL, thedestination switch disconnects the trunk from the called party's line,sets the trunk state to idle, and transmits a Release Complete Message(RLC) to the originating switch to acknowledge the remote end of thetrunk circuit. When the originating switch receives the RLC, itterminates the billing cycle and sets the trunk state to idle inpreparation for the next call. On the other hand, if the called partyhangs up first, or if the line is busy, the destination switch sends anREL to the originating switch indicating the release cause, such as anormal release or busy condition. When the originating switch generatesthe RLC, it terminates the billing cycle and sets the trunk to idle.

[0151] Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) logic is used to queue (ifnecessary) and distribute calls to operators in the order in which theyare received, and such that the call traffic is distributed evenly amongthe operators. In other embodiments, other distribution logic schemesare utilized, such as Skills-Based Routing or a priority scheme forpreferred callers. The queue is maintained by switching matrix host 106.

[0152] When a call is connected to an operator, switching matrix host106 directs voice server 120 b (also conferenced into the call) to playa greeting message, using a message prerecorded by the connectedoperator. Both the operator and the calling caller hear the message,which incorporates the name of the service or company to which thecaller is a subscriber (in other words, the call is “branded”). Themessage ends with a prompt, thus cueing the caller to volunteer whatinformation they are seeking.

[0153] When the automated greeting is complete, the voice server isdisconnected, and the operator and the caller are left connected by a2-way speech path. From this point, the caller is interacting with alive operator. In the event that the voice server is non-functional (forwhatever reason), the incoming call is connected to the operator and ashort “trill,” or “zip” tone is played to indicate that a caller is onthe line. (Note that once operators are logged in to the system, theywear headsets, and have their telephones 116 permanently off-hook. Theirtelephones do not ring when a call is presented.) The operator thenspeaks a greeting and prompt in real time, instead of the voice serverplaying a message.

[0154] Concierge-Like Service

[0155] The concierge-like service will now be illustrated by an example,as per an embodiment of a method illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. Thescenario depicted in the illustrative example is where a caller usinghis wireless telephone at John F. Kennedy airport in New York, requiresa dinner reservation at a vegetarian restaurant in “Cardiff by the Sea”near San Diego. It should be appreciated however, that a restaurantreservation service is but one type of service that the telephonicconcierge service may be able to provide. Other areas of use mayinclude, but are not limited to: information, reservation and ticketingfor events, accommodation, transportation and travel, informationregarding news, stock prices and weather, and providing access to otherservices such as grocery or flower delivery, etc.

[0156] As per the illustrative example, illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12,the caller dials Directory Assistance (DA) (step 200). The caller isconnected to an operator or a voice server (step 202). After a greeting,the caller is informed either by the voice server or by the operatorabout the telephonic conceierge service (step 204). At this point theconcierge service may also be explained to the caller. The caller mayalready be aware of the concierge service and therefore can skip theintroduction and/or explanation of the service (step 240).

[0157] If the caller is interested in using the concierge service, shecan either request directory listing information (step 210) or directlymake a reservation request (step 208). If the caller requests restaurantlisting information at step 210 the operator prompts the caller (step211) for details regarding for example the type of restaurant, therestaurant location, the approximate date and time of the reservationand other preferences like for example dietary requirements, smoking ornon-smoking, outdoors or indoors etc. The operator then inputs thesedetails into a caller profile database through server 134 (step 213).Using a search engine, the operator searches a directory listingdatabase through server 136 (step 212) for restaurants based on theabove-mentioned caller details and preferences. As per our example, asuitable restaurant is located in “Cardiff by the Sea,” near San Diego.

[0158] If the caller knew the name of the restaurant she wanted she maymake a specific reservation request (step 208) directly on connection tothe operator. In such a case or as per our example, the operator thenprompts the caller for reservation details (step 214) such as therestaurant name (if the operator did not locate it, supra), the callersname, a second choice of restaurant, a required reservation date andtime, alternative times, contact details and any additional preferencessuch as smoking or non-smoking, type of credit card to be used,restaurant views, etc. These details are input into a browser typegraphical user interface (GUI) as shown in FIG. 6. The reservationdetails are then stored in the caller profile database along with areservation request or ticket. The operator then informs the caller thatthe reservation request is being processed and either reconnects thecaller to the directory assistance operator or disconnects the callerfrom the system (step 236).

[0159] The ticket is automatically forwarded to a fulfillment agent (FA)(step 216) for processing. It should be noted that the operator may alsoprocess the ticket herself. By default, the ticket is automaticallyforwarded to a fulfillment agent at the directory assistance centerwhere the call was received, in our example New York. The operator,fulfillment agent or an automated system at the directory assistancecenter will then forward the request to the directory assistance centernearest the requested venue. In the illustrative example the requestwill be forwarded to the San Diego directory assistance center. Thefulfillment agent in San Diego thus automatically receives thereservation request (step 218), shown by the graphical user interface inFIGS. 7-10.

[0160] The fulfillment agent then attempts to contact the restaurant(step 220). Should the fulfillment agent be able to contact therestaurant he will attempt to make a reservation (step 222). Thefulfillment agent then updates the status of the ticket (step 224) onthe system irrespective of whether he was, in fact, successful in makingthe reservation or not, indicating last action performed, result,reservation details etc. (as seen in FIGS. 8 through 10). After eachchange of status the fulfillment agent or the system automatically setsa next action time for his attention sometime in the future. The requestthen slots into the appropriate place in a fulfillment queue. Thefulfillment agent cannot set nonsensical time periods like zero minutesor two years. New tickets are prioritized so as to be dealt with in atimely manner on a first-in-first-out basis. After a set amount ofunsuccessful tries, the fulfillment agent is automatically prompted totry the second restaurant choice.

[0161] After a set amount of time, say for example thirty minutes, thefulfillment agent retrieves the status of the request (step 228) andcontacts the caller informing her of the status of her request (step230). The fulfillment agent may contact the caller by phone, fax, emailor pager. The caller may also call the service back before the caller iscontacted by the fulfillment agent (step 226). The reservation status isretrieved from the system (step 228) and the caller is informed of thecurrent status of the reservation request (step 230). If required, theoperator or fulfillment agent may modify the reservation request (step232) which is automatically reforwarded to the fulfillment agent (step218). Once the reservation is made or the caller indicates a desire tocancel the request, the operator or fulfillment agent closes the Ticketand connects the caller to directory assistance or disconnects thecaller from the system (step 236).

[0162] An important feature of the present invention is an activitylogging function (step 234). All caller requests are logged in thecaller profile database server, as depicted in FIG. 1 by numeral 134.The activity log helps with internal auditing and billing of thatparticular caller. On-demand printed reservation status reports may beprovided to call center managers and/or supervisors. Furthermore whenthe caller makes use of the concierge service, her mobile identificationnumber (MIN), caller details, most frequent requests and past requestactivity is automatically presented to the operator. The callertherefore will not have to resupply repetitive details to the operator,thus speeding up the process and reducing the operator's processingtime. A fulfillment agent such as a supervisor who is not currentlyactive, then handles any concierge requests that are active or open atthat particular directory assistance center.

[0163] The system may generate reports such as the number of callsprocessed by a particular center or by the system as a whole. Otherreports may include reports indicating the average time spent on eachticket, the time spent fulfilling a ticket request and the time taken tocontact a customer.

[0164] The telephonic concierge system may be affected by otherscenarios such as: the fulfillment agent may be unsuccessful incontacting the restaurant; the requested reservation time may beunavailable; the caller might cancel the request; the caller may requesta change in the reservation time while still pending.

Additional Features

[0165] The system and method of the present invention has beendescribed. Clearly, there are still other alternatives and equivalentsthat are within the spirit and intent of the invention and will occur toa person skilled in the art. For example, without limitation, the systemmay also provide an automated notification to the fulfillment agent whentime limits are being exceeded. The caller may receive automateddelivery of recorded and/or text-to-speech notification of status of thereservation, with schedule of attempts followed until confirmation ofreceipt is received. The caller may be able to make periodic requests,such as for example the same restaurant reservation on the first Mondayof each month. The caller may request a group notification, to inform agroup of people of the reservation confirmation details. The caller maymake a “type” request where for example all restaurants of a particulartype are contacted, from the nearest to the farthest until the requestcan be fulfilled. The caller may make a group negotiation by making agroup reservation and getting consensus from all parties.

[0166] Data extracted from the system may be used for internal reports.Such reports may indicate system usage information or service (aparticular restaurant hotel, airline) usage information. Thisinformation may include the most popular service requests, for examplethe most popular restaurants, and may be used by fulfillment agents oroperators to make recommendations. The data may also be utilized forother purposes such as marketing or market research.

[0167] Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention belimited only by the claims that follow and all equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing concierge and directoryassistance services from a directory assistance center comprising:receiving a request for a concierge service from a caller at thedirectory assistance center; retrieving stored information regarding oneor more caller details from a database; and utilizing said storedinformation to satisfy said request for a concierge service.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said one or more caller details was obtainedfrom the caller during a previous request for a concierge service. 3.The method of claim 2, further comprising generating a ticket containingdetails of the request for a concierge service, wherein selected fieldsof the ticket are automatically populated with said stored informationregarding one or more caller details.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinsaid one or more caller details comprises one or more callerpreferences.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said one or more callerdetails comprises caller preferences for a plurality of geographicregions.
 6. The method of claim 3, further comprising entering the nameof an establishment at which reservations are desired on the ticket,accessing a database to retrieve other information regarding saidestablishment, and automatically populating selected fields of saidticket with said other information.
 7. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising connecting said caller to the directory assistance centerover a communications channel, and receiving additional informationregarding one or more caller details over said communications channel.8. The method of claim 7, further comprising automatically populatingselected fields of said ticket by default with said additionalinformation.
 9. A method for providing both concierge and directoryassistance services from a directory assistance center comprising:connecting a call from a caller to the directory assistance center overa communications channel; receiving a request for a concierge servicefrom a caller at the directory assistance center; receiving informationregarding one or more caller details over said communications channel;and utilizing said information to satisfy said request for a conciergeservice.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising generating aticket containing details of the request for a concierge service,wherein selected fields of the ticket are automatically populated withsaid information received over said communications channel.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, wherein said received information comprises thecaller's telephone number.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein saidreceived information comprises the caller's home address.
 13. The methodof claim 9, wherein said received information comprises the caller'spresent location.
 14. A method for providing both concierge anddirectory assistance services from a directory assistance centercomprising: (a) receiving a request for a concierge service from acaller at a first directory assistance center; (b) determining if therequest for a concierge service can be better fulfilled by a fulfillmentagent at a second directory assistance center then by a fulfillmentagent at the first directory assistance center; and (c) if it isdetermined that the request for a concierge service can be betterfulfilled by a fulfillment agent at a second directory assistancecenter, sending information regarding the request for a conciergeservice to the second directory assistance center and fulfilling therequest at the second directory assistance center.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein step (b) comprises determining if the request for aconcierge service comprises a request for a service in a geographicregion more closely proximate to said second directory assistance centerthan to said first directory assistance center.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein said determining if the request for a concierge servicecomprises a request for a service in a geographic region more closelyproximate to said second directory assistance center than to said firstdirectory assistance center is performed automatically.
 17. The methodof claim 14, further comprising generating a ticket containing detailsof the request for a concierge service, wherein a field on the ticketrepresenting which directory assistance center is to attempt to fulfillthe concierge request is populated by default with said first directoryassistance center.
 18. A method for providing concierge and directoryassistance services from a directory assistance center comprising:receiving a call from a caller at the directory assistance center;directing the call to a directory assistance operator; determining thatthe caller is requesting a concierge service; and assigning afulfillment agent to fulfill the concierge service request.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein said assigning comprises assigning thedirectory assistance operator as the fulfillment agent.
 20. The methodof claim 18, further comprising providing the caller with directoryassistance service after receiving the caller's request for a conciergeservice.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said directory assistanceservice comprises driving directions.
 22. The method of claim 20,wherein said directory assistance service comprises sending a telephonenumber to a pager.
 23. A method of providing directory assistanceservice by a directory assistance provider comprising: receiving a callfrom a caller at a directory assistance center; directing the call to adirectory assistance operator; receiving a request from the caller forsuggestions of businesses which provide a desired good or service;responding to said request as a function of which businesses haveprovided consideration to the directory assistance provider.
 24. Themethod of claim 23, wherein businesses which provide the desired good orservice and have provided consideration to the directory assistanceprovider will be suggested to the caller before businesses which providethe desired good or service and have not provided consideration to thedirectory assistance provider.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein saiddirectory assistance operator comprises a human operator.
 26. The methodof claim 25, further comprising displaying a list of business whichprovide the identified good or service on an operator screen, wherebybusinesses which have provided consideration to the directory assistanceprovider are listed before businesses which have not providedconsideration to the directory assistance provider.
 27. The method ofclaim 26, further comprising connecting the caller to a business whichhas provided consideration to the directory assistance provider.
 28. Amethod for providing concierge-like services to a user comprising: (a)receiving, from the user, a request for a concierge-like service; (b)performing an action, by a first agent, in an attempt to fulfill therequest; (c) updating a status of fulfilment of the request in adatabase based on the results of the last action performed; (d) settinga next action time in a database when further action relating to therequest should be taken; (e) automatically notifying a second agent whensaid next action time has arrived; and (f) performing a next action, bysaid second agent, relating to said request.
 29. The method of claim 28,wherein said first agent and said second agent are the same agent. 30.The method of claim 28, wherein said first agent and said second agentare different agents.
 31. The method of claim 28, wherein said nextaction time is set automatically.
 32. The method of claim 31, whereinsaid request for a concierge-like service relates to the caller's desireto visit an establishment, and wherein said next action time relates tothe time at which the caller wishes to visit the establishment
 33. Themethod of claim 28, further comprising displaying the possible nextactions for the second agent on a computer interface.
 34. The method ofclaim 33, further comprising automatically performing steps towardscompleting the next action selected by the second agent.
 35. The methodof claim 34, wherein said steps towards completing the next actioncomprises looking up in a database a phone number of an establishmentthe caller wishes to visit and dialing the phone number.
 36. The methodof claim 28, wherein said request for a concierge-like service isaccorded a priority.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the order inwhich the request for a concierge-like service is attempted to befulfilled is a function of its priority.
 38. The method of claim 36,wherein which agent attempts to fulfill the request for a concierge-likeservice is a function of its priority.